by Tiffany Capuano

Potty-training is often a frustrating, stressful time in the life of a toddler – not to mention the parents! June is National Potty Training Awareness Month, and with summer’s lighter clothing, it is a great time to potty-train little ones. Most parents agree motivational tools and rewards do help the potty-training process. New products might be just what you and your child need. So when running around naked in the backyard just isn’t working for your child, check these out:

Once Upon a Potty Dolls and Potties
When Once Upon a Potty books made their debut in the late 1970s, little did its creator know her books about Joshua and Prudence would span generations of parents who have toilet-trained their children. The company has now created straddle-style, full-size potty seats. The new line of products also comes with plush dolls – in the Joshua or Prudence styles. While the dolls do not "function," they do come with their own mini potty to put next to your child’s potty seat. The products are packaged together in boy or girl themes, including the full-sized potty, a doll, book or CD of sing-along songs. To order the gift-box set, visit www.onceuponapotty.com.

Toilet Buddies
Spruce up the bathroom with Toilet Buddies, a new line of toilet décor, and let your child initiate toilet training readiness. These friendly creatures attach to the toilet – and even close their eyes when the lid goes up, for privacy, of course. Fun and delightful, Toilet Buddies are a great way to introduce your child to the "big white bowl" and allow your child to enjoy bathroom time in a humorous way. Choose from four fun friends – Ca Ca Cow, Puddles Puppy, Gatago Giraffe or Poo P. Bunny. To order, visit www.toiletbuddies.com.

No More Diapers DVD
No More Diapers is a delightful new animated potty-training DVD for boys and girls, which shares the life of Glenn T. Bear, his parents and his best friend, Sophie. When his best friend decides to forgo diapers, Glenn T. Bear is inspired to step into big boy underwear himself. Based on the book by Bonnie Faber Wind, No More Diapers is packed full of songs kids will adore and potty-training reward stickers to help motivate a potential potty user. Free downloads of coloring pages, reward chart and diploma to complement the 30-minute DVD are available at www.consumervisiononline.com.

The Potty Bench
Combining modern style with innovative design, the Potty Bench is a training seat with two enclosed side storage spaces for organizing potty-training supplies and a pullout drawer for easy, sanitary cleanup. It can be used as a large step stool, sturdy enough to support 300 lbs. With a built in toilet-paper holder, this sleek training potty is ideal for design-conscious parents, and obscure enough for kids who simply won’t keep it in the bathroom. You’ll find it at Target or online at www.booninc.com.

Peter Potty
The first flushable training urinal for boys has made its debut – The Peter Potty. For boys who want to learn to stand like dad, this training potty functions like a real grown-up urinal with a toddler-friendly flush system to keep the potty clean. Fill the reservoir on top and empty the liquid waste from the pullout tray at the bottom; no plumbing required. Since most toddler boys between the ages of 2 and 3 are too short to reach a standard toilet when standing, this portable urinal with its adjustable height is sure to be a hit. The Peter Potty is available online only. Check out the retailers at www.peterpotty.com.

Cottonelle For Kids’ Bath Tissue
and Moist Wipes
Aimed at children ages 4-9, Cottonelle for Kids’ new product line combines dry bath tissue and a moist wipes system, helping parents teach children the proper amount to use. With six different puppy designs, the dry tissue’s "show-me-where-to-tear" concept is easy to teach and simple for the kids to understand: When they get to the puppy (every fifth sheet), kids just stop and tear. This new line helps kids use the right amount of tissue, and the one-wipe-at-a-time dispensing system on their watermelon-scented moist wipes ensures that youngsters do not overuse. www.cottonelle.com.

Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day:
Proven Secrets of the Potty Pro
In the new book, Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day: Proven Secrets of the Potty Pro, parent, educator and self-proclaimed potty-training guru and author Teri Crane provides parents with invaluable tips and techniques for helping parents win the potty-training wars. Crane’s method is the potty party – a daylong celebration, complete with prizes, food and presents. Crane’s proven process gives children the incentive to become potty-trained in one day, by encouraging a child’s natural learning abilities. Potty parties make the training an event to celebrate and share with friends and family. This survival guide is due out June 6. www.tericrane.com.